Ergonomically Configurable Game Controller

ABSTRACT

An improved user input device is disclosed having ergonomically-configurable features to custom fit individual users. The arms of the gamepad may be extended from the body of the gamepad, and may be rotated. This may be at user determined angles, or may be set to a predetermined limit. The rotation may be on one or more axes depending on the specific implementation. Similarly, the thumb grooves may be extensible and/or rotatable. Further customization may be provided by modular user input systems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of computer peripherals, and more particularly to user input devices such as gamepad game controllers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current controllers for game console machines come in many configurations. The most typical is that popularized by the Sony Playstation™, Microsoft Xbox™, Nintendo™ and other related game systems, i.e., the gamepad. In this configuration, the user holds the game controller with two hands, and manipulates the controls with his thumbs and fingers. These controllers are designed to fit as wide a segment of their target audience as possible.

An exemplary prior art gamepad is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the controller segments are shown as: body 1; arms 2; and thumb modules 3. The arms contain various buttons, joysticks, mushrooms, trackballs or the like.

Due to the significant deviation in the size and shape of human hands, no controller can fit all users' hands comfortably. Necessarily, this has meant that current gamepad designs are compromises that are not optimized for the needs of all users. It is impracticable to produce large numbers of gamepads of varying sizes.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gamepad that is user-customizable and can be optimized for specific users' physical characteristics and preferences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved user input device is disclosed having ergonomically-configurable features to custom fit individual users.

In accordance of the present invention, rather than being fixed, the arms of the gamepad may rotated. This may be at user determined angles. The degree of freedom of rotation may be set to a predetermined limit (e.g., a default “neutral” angle, and a few other angles that are preset). The rotation may be on one or more axes depending on the specific implementation. The method of achieving this rotation may be via a specially constructed mechanical joint, or a flexible metal tubing acting as a mechanical joint, or some combination thereof.

The arms of the gamepad may be extended from the body of the gamepad. This may be at a user determined distance, or may be set to a predetermined limit (e.g. a default “neutral” distance, and a few other preset distances). The specific method of achieving this extension may be via a specially constructed mechanical telescoping arm. This claim is independent of the implementation method.

The thumb modules, either attached to the arms or to the body, may be rotated in a similar way. The thumb modules, either attached to the arms or to the body, may be extended as well.

In one embodiment, the thumb modules, arms and body may have replaceable buttons or controls to further customize the function of the gamepad (refer to the modular mouse patent as an example of this). For example, instead of an analog stick in the right thumb module, a trackball component may replace it instead.

Any combination of the above, either singly or combined. Thus, the system provides greatly enhanced user customization to the game controller to a great extent for the user's own comfort and convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top-down view of a prior art gamepad.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of a customizable gamepad in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down view of a customizable gamepad having rotatable thumb modules in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, embodiments of the invention provide a computer input device such as a gamepad having ergonomic benefits and user-customizable geometry.

Customizable Gamepad

Referring to FIG. 2, the arms 10, 11 of the gamepad 15 may be rotated from the body 8 of the gamepad. This may be at wholly user determined angles, or may be set to a predetermined limit (e.g., a default “neutral” angle, and a few other angles that are preset). The rotation may be on one or more axes depending on the specific implementation.

The rotation may be enabled in several ways. For example, the rotation may be accomplished via a specially constructed mechanical joint, or a flexible metal tubing acting as a mechanical joint, or some combination thereof.

The arms 10, 11 of the gamepad may be extended from the body 8 of the gamepad. This may be at a user determined distance, or may be set to a predetermined limit (e.g. a default “neutral” distance, and a few other preset distances). The specific method of achieving this extension may be via a specially constructed mechanical telescoping arm. This claim is independent of the implementation method.

The thumb modules 20, 21, either attached to the arms 10, 11 or to the body 8, may be rotated in a way similar to that discussed in conjunction with the arms 10, 11. More specifically, thumb modules 20, 21 may be rotatable at the discretion of the user. The rotation may be mechanically limited by the joint. Alternatively, a 360° rotation may be provided, as indicated in FIG. 3.

In addition, to enhance customizability, the thumb modules 20, 21 may be extended. The modules may be attached either to the arms 10, 11 or to the body.

The thumb modules 20, 21, arms and body may have replaceable buttons or controls to further customize the function of the gamepad.

Modular System

An improved user input device in accordance with this aspect of the invention could utilize a modular system. In the example of a rumblepad, the thumb modules or arms can be modular. The most expensive components may be collected in a core module. This core module can house the sensor, microcontroller and RF modules, if any. It may also house microswitches that can be actuated when using the external case. A specially adapted connector is utilized to allow the core module to accept mouse button inputs from an interchangeable case, power from a battery pack (if required for wireless operation) and control lights or any other input/output features.

The modular approach enables thus users to use a single base system, and then mix and match with inexpensive modules to suit their individual preferences, or for a user to use the same base system with wireless modules (e.g., keeping the same familiar shape and using one or the other depending on user requirements).

In this way, instead of an analog stick in the right thumb module 21, a trackball component may replace it instead. Any combination of the above, either singly or combined, may also be employed.

Note that aspects of the above invention can be beneficially applied to other user input devices, including rumble pads, control pads and joypads. Thus, while the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

1. An input device adapted to customization by a user comprising: a device body; a plurality of arms attached to said body and projecting therefrom; and a plurality of thumb modules connected to said body or connected to said plurality of arms; wherein said plurality of arms may be customizably extended.
 2. The input device of claim 1, wherein each of said arms is adapted to be rotatable in an arc.
 3. The input device of claim 2, further comprising a stop to prevent rotation in accordance with a selection of said user.
 4. The input device of claim 1, wherein said thumb modules are adapted to be extensible in a direction away from said arms.
 5. The input device of claim 4, wherein said thumb modules are rotatable about an axis.
 6. The input device of claim 1, wherein said thumb modules are rotatable about an axis.
 7. The input device of claim 5, wherein said thumb modules are adapted to receive a plurality of types of user input components.
 8. The input device of claim 7, wherein one of said user input components is a trackball.
 9. The input device of claim 8, wherein one of said user input components is a button.
 10. The input device of claim 9, wherein said thumb modules are adapted to receive a plurality of different types of user input subsystems.
 11. The input device of claim 5, wherein said input device is a rumblepad.
 12. A rumble pad adapted to customization by a user comprising: a device body; a plurality of arm means for receiving a first set of user inputs, wherein said plurality of arm means are rotatable and extensible; and thumb module means for receiving a second set of user inputs.
 13. The rumble pad of claim 12, wherein said thumb module means are rotatable and extensible.
 14. The rumble pad of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of stops to prevent rotation in accordance with a selection of said user.
 15. The rumble pad of claim 12, wherein said second set of user inputs can be replaced by said user with a third set of user inputs.
 16. The rumble pad of claim 12, wherein said replacement is accomplished by removing a first user input subsystem from said thumb modules and replacing it with a second user input subsystem.
 17. A rumble pad adapted to customization by a user comprising: a device body; a plurality of arm means for receiving a first set of user inputs; and a plurality of thumb module means for receiving a second set of user inputs, wherein said of thumb module means are rotatable and extensible.
 18. The rumble pad of claim 17, wherein said arm means are rotatable and extensible.
 19. The rumble pad of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of stops to prevent rotation in accordance with a selection of said user.
 20. The rumble pad of claim 17, wherein said second set of user inputs can be replaced by said user with a third set of user inputs.
 21. The rumble pad of claim 20, wherein said replacement is accomplished by removing a first user input subsystem from said thumb modules and replacing said first user input subsystem with a second user input subsystem. 